Softies vs. SPS Tanks: Can’t we all just get along?

[Mako Shark II]

(Sigh) You think I would have known better.

So, I suppose I didn’t really think things through, but when you’ve got the opportunity to jump on 150# pounds of nicely mature and encrusted mushroom live rock, you jump on it, right? Well, I did too.

Unfortunately, with all my new fluffy little ‘shroomies, my failed attempts to propagate any reasonable SPS frags since August, are merely that. Failed. :sad1:

I’ve chased frags of Monti’s, digitalis, millies, acros, green slimers, blue torts. You name it. Eventually, they mostly all succumb to some sort of slow tissue neucrosis or STN. And all the while, my softies are positively glorious, superlative, prodigious, magnificent and prolific! (Sorry, I got on a word-smith thing there for a second. BUT, I disgress….)

The splendor of the purple, red, blue & Green mushrooms are positively great! Multiple pink Devil’s Hands, GBTA, RBTA, Hammers, Frogs, GSP, acans, leathers, palys, cloves, and One lone Monti â€"œ a good one: a Spiderman, all look fantastic, healthy and vibrant.

So I guess the question remains: What is the right mix of SPS to softies and how can I find balance on the Reef?

 

[scarson61]

two things to fight chemical welfare Carbon and Ozone. Carbon is a cheap try, if not Ozone and then you would be running Ozone with carbon. I am about to set up an Ozone unit in my tank again (last unit broke) In the past Ozone has done a good job with chemical warfare problems in my tanks.

 

[Mako Shark II]

Let's discuss the "Ozone Layer" tonight.

 

[ebman]

How long has the tank been set-up?
Is your 1090 GPH closed loop your only flow in the tank besides the return from the sump?
What are your parameters? salinity?

 

[Mako Shark II]

Yes, the Closed Loop & the Main Pump (GenX PCX-30 980 GPH w/ 1" Sea-Swirl) are the only wave makers. It's not a problem, really! I had to remove the Penductor Off the Sea-Swirl.

8/8/08 Go Live date (with mature LR & migrated water)

Water:
SG 1.025
CA 500
pH 8.2
KH 143/ppm
Mg 1290
Temp 76-78 (depending on MH status)

 

[Mako Shark II]

P.S. - How do you like your Octo TS-150 Skimmer? I have to empty mine like every 4 days, otherwise it starts to smell like a sewage treatment plant!

 

[ihavtats29]

i dont keep any softys in my tank i try to keep it to all LPS and SPS, and even then there is some chemical warfare, i run a filter sock with carbon to try and keep things in check , so far so good unless a crab or snail knocks one off onto another , i have nothing glued down untill i transfer tanks. i do have a couple shrooms that are in there that are going to be in the mantis tank

 

[ebman]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14231832#post14231832 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Mako Shark II
P.S. - How do you like your Octo TS-150 Skimmer? I have to empty mine like every 4 days, otherwise it starts to smell like a sewage treatment plant!

The skimmer works great, I really like it. I pulled the o-ring from between the input of the pump and the venturi. It allows the skimmer to pull a lot more air and slows the water flow through it.

Do you think that you have enough flow? I have about 3600 GPH turnover in my 75 not counting the sump return, and my return pump adds about another 400 GPH.

I have a tank full of Softies, LPS, and SPS, and clams. Everything does fairly well together as long as they are not directly touching. Growth is good considering I have 175's, and as long as I keep the calcium and alkalinity up and the phosphates down.

 

[MarineFlake]

I have had monti caps, some acro and milli's in 75g with a mix of sorties and lps for the last couple years. I'm not sure there is a magic bullet here but I did loss some sps along the way. I lost some pink and green birds nest for example STN. I never really used any filtration on my tank other than LR and skimming. Maybe I would have had better success but eventually the kind of found it's own balance. I will say I was *very* faithful with Wc's and I know that helped. Most would recommend you don't mix in the same tank for obvious reasons. But you don't make masterpiece without making a mess along the way. I say if the equipment and commitment is there keep swinging until you get what your after. It's only $$ : )